CORONA BIO 1

Re-entered 26 Apr 1959

CORONA BIO 1 (NORAD 14, COSPAR 1959 GAM) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Apr 1959, launched on 13 Apr 1959. It was operated by ARPA / CIA as part of the CORONA Early programme. The spacecraft was built by LMSD on the CORONA bus, with a mass of 110 kg. Like most satellites in low orbits, it was gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until re-entry. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.

1959

launched

1959

re-entered

years on orbit

110

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched13 Apr 1959

Operational13 Apr 1959 · entered service

Retired13 Apr 1959 · end of operational service

Re-entered26 Apr 1959 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID14

COSPAR1959 GAM

TypeSatellite

OperatorARPA / CIA

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerLMSD

BusCORONA

Mass110 kg

ProgrammeCORONA Early

CategoryTECH

OrbitLEO (LLEO/P)

Altitude239 × 346 km

Inclination89.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to CORONA BIO 1?

CORONA BIO 1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 26 Apr 1959, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1959. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did CORONA BIO 1 re-enter the atmosphere?

CORONA BIO 1 re-entered on 26 Apr 1959, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built CORONA BIO 1?

CORONA BIO 1 was operated by ARPA / CIA and built by LMSD (US).

Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.

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